The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) organised a panel discussion on parental education methods and learning through play. The session aimed to underscore the role of play in shaping children’s behaviour and addressing challenges through playful interaction.
The event was attended by a gathering of researchers, specialists, and individuals interested in family affairs.
Hosted by the Family Counselling Centre (Wifaq), the event featured the launch of the “Benny Anthony Family Relations Scale” by Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs at MSDF Sheikha Sheikha bint Jassim bin Ahmed al-Thani.
This initiative seeks to enhance the understanding of family relationships from a child’s perspective, providing an innovative tool to assess family dynamics. The scale offers crucial insights into emotional connections within families, supporting broader efforts to promote children’s mental health and family stability.
Through the “learning through play” approach, children are encouraged to express their emotions and thoughts, offering parents and specialists a unique opportunity to understand their needs and challenges more effectively.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of Wifaq, engineer Jabr Rashid al-Nuaimi, emphasised that learning through play goes beyond mere entertainment. He described it as foundational for developing children’s personalities, fostering positive interactions with their surroundings, and enhancing their capacity to thrive in environments based on cooperation and participation.
Al-Nuaimi affirmed Wifaq’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for families aligned with societal values, contributing to the building of a cohesive and resilient society.
The panel explored various themes in an interactive format, with contributions from experts in education and psychology. Topics included behavioural challenges in children such as stubbornness, inattention, and temper tantrums and positive strategies for addressing these behaviours. The panel also discussed “learning through play” as a tool for motivating children to learn and develop social skills, alongside examining the influence of electronic games on children’s behaviour and national identity.
